...As the prince awoke, he realized he was reclining on a cushioned bench nestled in the cool shade of a flowering tree. Its branches were heavy with blossoms, their sweet fragrance mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves in the soft breeze. Beside him stood Queen Soluna, her presence regal and serene, as she gazed at him with a mixture of concern and expectation. "Have you learned any lesson, son?" she inquired, her voice a gentle melody that carried a depth of wisdom and care.
The prince blinked, his vision stillq blurry as he tried to focus on his mother's face. He felt a deep ache in every muscle, and his throat burned with each breath. For a moment, he considered lashing out, blaming the unfairness of the challenge or the superiority of the commoner girl. But as he met his mother's steady gaze, something within him shifted.
